Taiping Ship Models

Taiping Ship Models

　　Xu Hailin, 50 years old this year, was born in Taiping Subdistrict, Xiangcheng District, Suzhou, a place close to Yangcheng Lake where every household used to own a boat. Since childhood, Xu has had a deep affection for boats. His grandfather and father were both shipwrights, and in his early years, he also apprenticed under a master and became a well-known carpenter in the area. In 1998, while watching TV, he learned that Suzhou was taking steps to rescue and protect ancient architecture. He thought, “Aren’t boats the homes of people living on the water? Traditional wooden boats should also be preserved.” That’s when he got the idea to recreate ancient boats.

The first ship model Xu Hailin made was called the “Soybean Boat,” the most common kind of vessel used in the village to transport grain. Though everyone had seen boats before, no one had ever seen a boat turned into a model, so villagers flocked to Xu’s home out of curiosity.

In 2000, he heard about a maritime history research society at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and went to visit. The society’s president, Xin Yu’ou, was amazed and full of praise upon seeing his work. He told Xu, “Very few people in China are making traditional folk boats anymore—you must carry on this craft.” He even gave Xu some photos of ancient ships. With this affirmation, Xu became even more motivated to make ship models.

There was very little information available on ancient Chinese ships, so he searched everywhere for materials and studied real vessels. He visited Jiangyin to see the First Crossing-the-Yangtze River Boat, traveled to Taihu Lake to observe sailboats, and went to Shaoxing to view the black-canopied boats (wupeng boats). To save money, he even rode his bicycle to Shaoshabang. To create a model of Zheng He’s treasure ship, he went to Liuhe, the departure point of Zheng He’s voyages, and spent over an hour carefully studying the real thing before leaving. From replicating farm boats, fishing boats, and ferry boats to traditional painted pleasure boats, visiting Jiaxing to see the Red Boat and Taihu Lake to observe sailboats… Xu Hailin’s ship models grew more and more exquisite with each one.

Xu Hailin tried every possible means to collect materials on ancient ships—even small stamps were not overlooked. The model of Jianzhen’s ancient boat, for example, was based on a stamp issued in 1980. As for precious books he managed to obtain, such as the *Illustrated Manual of Ancient Chinese Ships* and *Research on Maritime History*, he treasured them deeply, often studying, drawing, and researching in his spare time. Aside from doing carpentry jobs for others, he spent all his free time working on ancient ship models.

Unlike other ship models, Xu Hailin’s are not glued together but reinforced with mortise-and-tenon joints and nails. The carved patterns, sails can be raised and lowered, and the windows can be opened and shut. When placed in water, aside from their smaller size, they are virtually indistinguishable from real boats.

At the invitation of the Sun Wu Research Society in Suzhou, Xu Hailin began crafting a model of a Spring and Autumn period warship. This ancient warship’s main structure consists of four levels, with the top level serving as a lookout tower and the lower level as the helm room. Each side of the ship features eight oar cabins. The bottom of the hull is divided into four separate watertight compartments—if one takes on water, the warship can still remain seaworthy. The edges of each deck have protruding rain awnings and drainage channels, and the floorboards are fully engraved with anti-slip patterns. Every detail mirrors the real thing. Xu also plans to replicate China’s Four Famous Boats: the Sand Boat, the Fuzhou Boat, the Guangdong Boat, and the Bird Boat. He says the most important aspect of making ancient ships is authentically and vividly showcasing thousands of years of China’s boating culture.

In June 2004, Xu Hailin exhibited his ship models at the First Peasant Art Festival held at the Nanjing Exhibition Center, attracting the attention of experts who were establishing the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. They commissioned him to create a model of Zheng He’s treasure ship to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Zheng He’s voyages. Before long, a miniature “Zheng He Treasure Ship,” measuring 140 cm in length, 40 cm in width, with three decks, nine masts, and twelve sails, was born.

Experts from the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution were highly impressed upon seeing the *South Lake Red Boat* model. With his consent, they decided to permanently acquire the *South Lake Red Boat* ship model. They also invited him to create the *First Crossing-the-Yangtze River Boat* model to be displayed alongside the *South Lake Red Boat* in the museum.

Xu Hailin’s ship modeling art has become a unique local specialty. The Culture Service Center of Jincheng Community in Taiping Subdistrict set aside a dedicated space to establish the “Xu Hailin Ship Model Art Exhibition Room,” where some of his works are displayed for residents. The room also serves as an educational base for community members and schoolchildren.

Inside the Hailin Ship Model Exhibition Room, you’ll find historically documented vessels such as Zheng He’s Treasure Ship, Spring and Autumn Warships, Xin’an Ancient Ships, and Jianzhen’s Boat, as well as centuries-old, popular boats in the Jiangnan water towns—like the Xiashan Boat, Suzhou Freight Boat, Celebration Pond Boat, Ferry Boat, and Wupeng Boat.

He also crafts larger-scale models. The “Zhang Ji Guest Boat” is stationed in Jiangfengzhou Park, recreating the beautiful scene of Mooring at Maple Bridge by Night near Hanshan Temple. To date, Xu Hailin has completed over 50 ship models. Many of his works have won awards or been acquired for collections. This year, the eighth China Folk Literature and Art “Mountain Flower Award” was announced, and Xu Hailin’s realistic ship model *Zheng He’s Treasure Ship*, along with four other pieces from Suzhou, claimed the highest honor in Chinese folk art—the “Mountain Flower Award.”